Pat Shingleton: "Laboring on Labor Day..."
As noted in a previous column, this hurricane caused damage in the upper Florida Keys and a surge of 20 feet. Its winds leveled buildings in Islamorada as numerous World War I veteran's lots their lives due to the storm surge. They were constructing the Key West Extension of the Florida East Coast Railroad. Prior to the naming of storms this was known as the Labor Day Hurricane of 1935. Other Labor Day storms that pounded Louisiana include Isaac, that made the list in 2012. Gustav posted the highest winds ever recorded while Lili and Rita contributed their share of destruction to our state. Labor Day celebrations and relaxation were limited on this date, two years ago, as clean-up chores continued, due to Isaac. Tropical Storm Dolly, today.